Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1887-03-23
Institute Proceedings.
(Journal for the West Room.)

(Jomnal for the West Room.)
Elk Point, March Dist, 1887.
Institute opened about Ills will
opening remarks by Supt. Fate, fol
lowed by Prof. Wernli. Next came
the morning exercises which consist
of reading of scripture, repeating
Lords Prayer, and sacred song. The
institute was divided into two grades
those holding territorial and first
and second class grade certificates
keeping the west room, while B. di.
vision passed into the east room. In
the west Don geography was taken
up, conducted by Prot. Thurston.
The lesson included a scholars first
two or more years in school and
without books in the hands of the
pupil. The discussion and instruc.
ton brought out the idea that direc.
ton is best taught and understood
by letting the learner pass to differ.
ent directions in the schoolroom and
from there to the school-yard and
district, and observing direction to
and from their homes; then mag
mary journeys on a small molding-
board in which miniature mount
aims, lakes, etc, have been nodded,
being careful at first to have our
boards show the exact points of the
compass, then changing so that they
may be ready to gradually substi-
tute maps in part. Then came
boundary in which we were caution
ed not to take too much for granted,
but constantly lead them to note the
difference in the boundary of famil-
isr objects. During our direction
and boundary lessons, we should
have pupils ask for familiar geogra-
ply Of places in vicinity. Our Ian
guage was conducted by Prof. Wern-
Ii in which he showed us that al
though our pupils had four or five
years previous to our acquaintance
begun this study, their vocabulary
is limited and our first step should
be to improve it by giving them new
ideas, brought out by means of OBJ
jects and pictures and to constantly
train them to use their senses so that
they themselves increase their COM
mand of language. Our session then
closed with the promise Of come
new songs.
AFTERNOON.
Afternoon session opened at 1:15
by roll call, in which fifty respond
ed at length to their respective num-
oers. An organist was then chosen
and our promised song was sung
with much spirit.
The subject of didactics was TAX
en- up by Prof. w. Source of power
to manage and teach, was divided
into three important heads; LIST.
good health or physical strength;
2nd, a sound mind, which means
we must know what we want to
teach and know we know it; 3rd, a
| good character, to be ourselves what
we would have our pupils.
Prof. Dempster then dwelt for a
short time on photography, bringing
out the objects of spelling, definition
ETC., after which Prof. Wernli again
took charge of our division, the sub
ject being writing. A teacher should
write a perfect hand, because as the
teacher is, so will his pupil be. He
also brought out the idea that writ
ing is done out Of determination and
in this class they must obey as the
teacher directs. Exercise for che
sake Of i~nculcating correct habits are
very necessary.
Then another song in which Mr..
Collins led. Prof. Thurston then
gave us q lesson in history, the OBJ
ject being to have pupils learn to
profit by the experience Of our an.
cestors, and then drew out the re.
mote causes Of civil war. The Oh.
ject Of physiology was treated by
Prof. Wernli, and We were told Chat
the functions and care Of the differ.
ent organs should be carefully
shown.
As II was now 4:3o, the institute